Chapter 21 Impudent!

Hu Haoran was shocked to hear the sarcastic tone from Hu Lihua. Seeing his younger sister's calm and indifferent attitude, it seemed that the rumors about Hu Lihua's change in demeanor were true. However, his surprise only lasted for a moment before he started nagging again, "Hua'er, why are you treating your younger sister like this? Since when have you become so rude? You're really like a wild girl who grew up in the countryside!"

Hu Lihua rolled her eyes. "I did grow up in the countryside. So what?"

[Two great Buddhas have come to me. I fear Yufeng Pavilion will collapse under their mighty presence!]

Hu Haoran jolted and looked around. "Who?! Who just spoke?!"

Hu Lihua stared at him as if he were an idiot. "You've been the one talking this whole time! Did you hit your head somewhere and become even dumber?!"

[Phei! Even a pig looks smarter than him!]

Hu Haoran's eyes widened. This voice… It was Hu Lihua's!

Hu Haoran was stunned. For a moment, he was at a loss for words, not knowing how to describe this strange phenomenon.

On the other hand, Hu Rui'an felt satisfied seeing her older brother's reaction. However, she still pretended to be empathetic and spoke softly, "First Sister, I know you don't like seeing me here. But can you not be so harsh toward the Second Brother? If you're angry, just blame me."

Hu Lihua turned to look at her in disgust and said bluntly, "You know I don't like you, so why bother coming here and ruining my view?!"

"Second Brother!" Hu Rui'an acted as if she was deeply hurt and clung to Hu Haoran's sleeve. She really didn't expect this country girl to openly defy her now.

Hu Haoran finally snapped out of his shock. His gaze turned sharp, filled with a brief moment of doubt before shifting into scrutiny, as if he wanted to figure out what was truly happening with Hu Lihua.

Seeing this, Hu Rui'an quickly added in a sorrowful tone, "Second Brother, forget it… First Sister clearly doesn't welcome us here. As for the jade hairpin… just let it go! I'd rather lose it than see Second Brother being bullied by First Sister!" She clutched Hu Haoran's sleeve tightly, as if she truly cared for him.

Those words reminded Hu Haoran of his original purpose. He took a deep breath and said in a calm tone, "Hua'er, I heard that you took An'er's jade hairpin. Could you return it? If you do, I won't pursue this matter any further."

Hu Rui'an's eyes widened in disbelief at Hu Haoran's words. That's it? He was only asking Hu Lihua to return the hairpin? Without punishing her?

Hu Rui'an quickly composed herself, pinched her thigh discreetly, and spoke in a trembling voice, "That's right, First Sister. We don't have to talk about you pushing me into the fish pond. But could you at least return my jade hairpin? It was a precious gift from Second Brother."

Hu Haoran's expression darkened further upon hearing this. He furrowed his brows and said sternly, "I can overlook the matter of the stolen hairpin. But we still need to address the fact that you pushed An'er into the fish pond!"

Before Hu Rui'an could secretly rejoice, a cold voice came from outside the gate, "I'm still alive! Since when do you have the right to decide your sister's punishment?"

Everyone immediately turned toward the entrance. Two figures stood tall at the doorway—Song Xiuyan and Hu Zhangwei. Song Xiuyan stepped in first, her sharp gaze piercing straight at Hu Rui'an. Meanwhile, Hu Zhangwei followed behind, his expression unreadable, but his presence alone made others feel uncomfortable.

A sudden sense of unease crept into Hu Rui'an's heart. She lowered her head, avoiding Song Xiuyan's sharp gaze, and clung even tighter to Hu Haoran's sleeve, as if seeking protection from him.

Hu Haoran could sense his younger sister's fear. He released Hu Rui'an's grip, walked toward Song Xiuyan, and spoke in a gentle tone, "Mother, Father, why are you here?"

Song Xiuyan looked at him with obvious disapproval before answering in a displeased tone, "Why am I here? If I didn't come, wouldn't you all be free to bully Hua'er as you please?"

Hu Rui'an hurriedly followed Hu Haoran and respectfully greeted them, "Greetings to Father and Mother."

However, Song Xiuyan merely let out a cold snort without responding. Meanwhile, Hu Zhangwei only looked at Hu Rui'an with a complicated expression.

Earlier, the two of them had been hiding behind the courtyard wall, listening to the conversation inside. Initially, Hu Zhangwei wanted to confirm whether Hu Lihua's inner voice was real. However, the more he listened, the more he realized that Hu Rui'an's words were full of pretense.

Hu Zhangwei turned toward Hu Haoran, staring at his son with a gaze filled with both disdain and self-reproach. Aiyo! As the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Hu Lihua walked up to her parents and spoke in a soft voice, "Father, Mother, please have a seat. I've already asked Xixi to prepare hot tea to warm your bodies."

[My mother must have come to support me. But what does my cheap father want here? Did he come to defend Hu Rui'an?]

Hu Zhangwei was already used to hearing Hu Lihua's inner complaints, so his expression remained calm as he followed Song Xiuyan to sit at the stone table.

Hu Lihua stood beside her mother, pouring tea with ease before handing them their cups. "Father, Mother, please drink."

Meanwhile, Hu Haoran was beginning to realize that something was off. Was he the only one who could hear Hu Lihua's inner thoughts?

Just as he was pondering this, Hu Lihua's inner voice rang out again,

[Hey! Can we move on with this trap? Hurry up and finish this! I want to go out and buy farmland!]

Hu Haoran frowned. A trap? Was Hu Lihua trying to frame Hu Rui'an?!

He stood up, preparing to defend his beloved younger sister. Meanwhile, Hu Rui'an, still afraid, remained hidden behind him.

Suddenly, Song Xiuyan's cold voice rang out again. "Haoran, why are you here?"

Hu Haoran snapped out of his thoughts and answered, "Replying to Mother, I came to visit An'er and heard that her jade hairpin was stolen by Hua'er. So I came to take it back."

BANG!

Hu Zhangwei slammed the table forcefully. "Impudent!"

Everyone was startled. Even Song Xiuyan secretly pinched Hu Zhangwei's thigh to vent her frustration.

Hu Lihua immediately got up and massaged Hu Zhangwei's shoulders. "Father, don't get angry. It's bad for your health."

[Father! Do you realize how strong you are? I really like this stone table, don't break it!]

Hu Zhangwei, "..." Alright, it seems he should control his strength.

Meanwhile, the corner of Hu Haoran's eye twitched. His eldest sister could really scold and flatter someone at the same time?!

Hu Zhangwei took a deep breath and looked at Hu Haoran. "Did you investigate the matter before accusing your sister?"

Hu Haoran frowned. "Why should I investigate? An'er would never lie to me!"

[Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Hu Haoran is truly a fool! No wonder he died so easily because of Hu Rui'an's trap!]

Hu Haoran froze. A trap?!